GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – A violent incident in Duluth recently shook the community when a man randomly attacked and injured two individuals in the same area on Friday before fleeing from a local shopping center. The suspect, identified as Warren Crayton, 37, was arrested by Duluth police following the assaults.
The first attack took place last Tuesday when a 16-year-old boy was punched in the face by a stranger while leaving a Kroger store in the area of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road. The victim was left bloodied in front of the store around 4 p.m. Reports indicated that the same suspect then proceeded to brutally assault a man working at a car wash located at a nearby Shell gas station about an hour later. This second attack left the victim with a broken back, as confirmed by the police.
Following the violent incident, the victim remains hospitalized with uncertain prospects of walking again for several months. Surveillance footage shared by the police displayed Crayton repeatedly kicking the victim before fleeing the scene, shedding light on the brutality of the attacks. Motives behind the assaults remain unclear, with both victims expressing shock and bewilderment at the sudden violence they experienced.
Witnesses and victims suggested that Crayton may have been experiencing a mental episode or under the influence of drugs during the attacks. The teen victim described the ordeal as “crazy” and speculated that the perpetrator might have been on some form of substance. As the investigation continues, Crayton faces charges including Aggravated Assault, with the possibility of additional charges being added in the future.
Community members and authorities are working together to ensure the safety and well-being of residents following the disturbing incidents in the area. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and awareness in times of unexpected violence that can impact individuals and communities.